Fourteen Not Forgotten

It’s been 19 years since a man walked into Ecole Polytechnique and killed fourteen women, making a statement of hatred against women and against feminists. It’s easy to remember the name of someone who commits such an act, but not as easy always to remember the names of those who died.

It’s also easy to forget that the attack was not just some crazy individual losing control, but a man acting in a context of institutionalized sexism. In his note, the gunman blamed feminists for ruining his life, and vowed to take them down with him. In the near twenty years that has passed since the Montreal Massacre, have Canadian society’s attitudes towards feminism and feminists changed for the better? Or the worse?

I like to take time on December 6th to remember the names of those women who were killed as well as others who have suffered violence, been killed, gone missing, etc., in the time since. I also like to think about my own identity as a feminist, as a woman and as an agent in a sometimes complicit society. Maybe at some point I will also be able to forgive the gunman and add his name to this list, but that time has yet to come for me.

Toronto: Women Won’t Forget Day of Remembrance
Saturday, December 6th 6:00 pm
Philosopher’s Walk, University of Toronto (path off Bloor St. between the Royal Ontario Museum and the Royal Conservatory of Music)

Montreal: Ecole Polytechnique Memorial
Saturday, December 6th All Day (No official ceremony, but visitors are encouraged to come to the Memorial Plaque and leave roses, ribbons, etc.)